The Governor VS. The Premier: Truth VS. Deception

#TurksandCaicos, April 16, 2018 – Providenciales – In the face of recent events, it must now be crystal clear to the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands generally, but more specifically – those PNP supporters that crossed the party lines during the 2016 elections, that thy were rewarded a ‘six for a nine’.  Prize, who lives in Blue Hills – would have seen through the fluff that was on showcase, and realized that there was no substance to the “CHANGE’ that was on offer.  But, as the saying goes, “hindsight is 20/20 vision”!

The Governor in his recent meeting with the local press corps, clearly exposed the Empress for having ‘no clothes’.  It is quite evident that the Premier and her merry band of Ministers do not possess the skillset to execute the various programmes necessary to promote, let alone contribute to the growth and development of our country.

When I recently spoke in the House of Assembly on the various issues impacting this country, the Premier was quick, in her myriad of responses – to shout from the rooftop, “The Opposition is misleading the people”!

That might have been all well and good, as part of her theatrics; however, the people are now clearly seeing that the chickens coming home to roost. If ‘she is bad’ as the saying goes, let her backchat the Governor on national radio, television or the printed press. Honorable Premier, we are waiting your rebuttal.

It is with this in mind, I would like to highlight a few points from the Governor’s recent press briefing that were attributed to him:

1. The PDM Administration has been encouraged by the United Kingdom to draw from the country’s healthy financial reserves to expedite reconstruction following 2017’s hurricanes Irma and Maria.

2. In terms of identifying funding to meet immediate post hurricane renovations and repairs the UK has not restricted this in any way, and has encouraged TCIG to draw as necessary on its financial resources including if necessary on its comparatively large reserves.

3. Much stringency has disappeared with the nullification of the role of the CFO. To this regard, the UK is not imposing any restrictions.

4. It was not anticipated in December or early January … that it would have required running a deficit budget. And the UK did not stand in the way of that… any member of Cabinet can attest to that fact.

It is relatively transparent that the Premier is not living up to her own billing. The Governor in so many words said “p… on that” – I will not be the fall guy for her. He, like the rest of us are of the opinion that she needs to stop hiding behind the coattails of the British and chart the course she was mandated to execute.  The blame game or deflecting is a disservice to country and people. Enough is enough!

It is a sin and a shame that the government schools are still in a high degree of disrepair nearly 8 months after the hurricanes. Worse still, knowing that the Premier had unfettered access to funds and she refused to direct that the requisite spending take place as the Minister of Finance is unforgivable!

That said, let us not be lulled in a false sense of security when given this information. It is imperative to note that when it suits the British agenda, they have no problem throwing a government or potential government under the proverbial bus. Do you recall the information dump that occurred mere days before the 2012 elections to put the PNP in as dark a light as possible? I do. The British have always had their own agenda and tend to see to its end. Needless to say, we as Turks and Caicos Islanders must come to that realization and in the words of one of my friends: “cut your own cloth”!

Royal S. Robinson

Opposition Appointed Member